The Freethinker of the Year award is presented annually by the Freedom From Religion Foundation to recognize defenders of the constitutional principle of separation of church and state. Pictured: 2002 Freethinker of the Year Michael Newdow, M.D. Photo by Brent Nicastro.

This award was suggested by Vietnam War vet and longtime Board Member Steve Trunk (pictured with Jeremy Hall), to combat the ridiculous myth that there are no "atheists in foxholes," and, in particular, to recognize activism to defend the constitutional principle of separation between state and church which every soldier takes an oath to uphold. Pictured: Steve Trunk bestowing the Atheist in Foxhole Award to Jeremy Hall. Photo by Brent Nicastro

The awards recognize outstanding activism for freethought or the separation of church and state by high school and college students (and in rare cases stipulating only youthful activism, without requiring student status). Recipients have often included litigants or newsmakers who have championed the freedom of conscience or the separation between church and state.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation, to recognize the special contributions of women to freethought and the battle to keep state and church separate, bestows a "Freethought Heroine Award" at many of its national conventions. Pictured: Charline Kirkpatrick Kotula, in whose memory some of the "heroine" awards were named.